Guides to Exhausts, Engine Diagnostics and Servicing

Category: Exhausts

As part of the MOT test most cars are subject to an emissions test. The only cars that are exempt from this rule are vehicles with less than 4 wheels, two-stroke vehicles, hybrid vehicles and quadricycles. Most vehicles are tested using a special meter but old vehicles (classic cars) may be tested by sight. The vehicles are usually linked up to a tube which is placed over the exhaust. The readings are then taken and checked against the MOT standards to say whether it is a pass or fail. Tests can also be performed on the roadside if needed and if the vehicle fails, you will often get an order to fix the issues within 10 days of face prosecution. You may face a fixed penalty notice on the side...

You may not become aware of an issue with your exhaust system until you hear a loud sound when driving or even when you take the car in to a garage for an MOT (and there is a problem with the emissions) or service. The exhaust system is made up of a number of different components and sometimes the problem is obvious, other times it may need investigating. The costs involved with exhaust repair can be just as confusing as a hole in one part of the system can be drastically more expensive than a similarly sized one in a different part of the system. White smoke coming from the tailpipe is usually a cause for concern. It often indicates that your car could be low on engine coolant from...

If you own an older car then you may have to replace part or all of the exhaust at some point. The exhaust system is vital to the car running as it should and getting rid of the harmful gases that are produced by the engine. The exhaust is usually in three sections, back box, centre and front. Often it will only be one part that will need to be replaced and the most common part is the back box. If your car starts to sound particularly loud then it may be that you have a hole in the exhaust system. You may be able to repair the exhaust using exhaust tape or bandage but this should only be a temporary fix and you should look at getting the part replaced...

If you suddenly find that your car sounds particularly loud when you accelerate and the noise is coming from the exhaust then you most probably have a hole. This can not only be embarrassing and could actually get you in to trouble with the police if it is too loud, it can mean that your car fails an MOT and is therefore not roadworthy. So what options do you have? Depending on where about the hole is in the exhaust and how big it is, you could try repairing it. Some garages offer this as a service where they will weld a patch on or you can actually buy exhaust bandage that you can apply yourself to cover up he hole. Both of these methods are somewhat temporary although the...

When deciding to modify your car its best to check the legal guidelines before you have any work done, the government have produced a downloadable document online that sets out the dos and don’ts quite clearly with images and descriptions to avoid any doubt. If the police see that you have an illegal modification to your car they have the power to seize the vehicle, particularly if the modifications make the car unsafe. One of the popular modifications that people make to their car is altering or fitting a new exhaust. A popular modification on this area, particularly by boy-racers is removing the silencer, this however IS illegal. The reason that it’s illegal is partly that removing the silencer can cause noise pollution which can become a nuisance to neighbours,...